Recommendations for

Reporting on Suicide

Developed in collaboration with: American Association of Suicidology, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Annenberg
Public Policy Center, Associated Press Managing Editors, Canterbury Suicide Project - University of Otago, Christchurch,
New Zealand, Columbia University Department of Psychiatry, ConnectSafely.org, Emotion Technology, International Association
for Suicide Prevention Task Force on Media and Suicide, Medical University of Vienna, National Alliance on Mental Illness,
National Institute of Mental Health, National Press Photographers Association, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, Suicide Prevention Resource Center,
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and UCLA School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences.

Important points for covering suicide

More than 50 research studies worldwide have found that certain types of news coverage can increase

the likelihood of suicide in vulnerable individuals. The magnitude of the increase is related to the amount,

duration and prominence of coverage.

Risk of additional suicides increases when the story explicitly describes the suicide method, uses dramatic/

graphic headlines or images, and repeated/extensive coverage sensationalizes or glamorizes a death.

Covering suicide carefully, even briefly, can change public misperceptions and correct myths, which can

encourage those who are vulnerable or at risk to seek help.

Suicide is a public health issue. Media and online coverage

of suicide should be informed by using best practices. Some
suicide deaths may be newsworthy. However, the way media
cover suicide can influence behavior negatively by contributing

Suicide Contagion or Copycat Suicide

occurs when one or more suicides
are reported in a way that contributes
to another suicide.

to contagion or positively by encouraging help-seeking.

References and additional information can be found at: www.ReportingOnSuicide.org.

Instead of this:

DO this:

Big or sensationalistic headlines, or prominent

placement (e.g., Kurt Cobain Used Shotgun to
Commit Suicide).
Including photos/videos of the location or method of
death, grieving family, friends, memorials or funerals.

Describing recent suicides as an epidemic,

skyrocketing, or other strong terms.

Carefully investigate the most recent CDC data and

use non-sensational words like rise or higher.

Describing a suicide as inexplicable or

without warning.

Most, but not all, people who die by suicide exhibit

warning signs. Include the Warning Signs and What
to Do sidebar (from p. 2) in your article if possible.

John Doe left a suicide note saying.

A note from the deceased was found and is being

reviewed by the medical examiner.

Investigating and reporting on suicide similar

to reporting on crimes.

Report on suicide as a public health issue.

Quoting/interviewing police or first responders

about the causes of suicide.

Seek advice from suicide prevention experts.

Referring to suicide as successful, unsuccessful

or a failed attempt.

Describe as died by suicide or completed

or killed him/herself.

Inform the audience without sensationalizing

the suicide and minimize prominence (e.g.,
Kurt Cobain Dead at 27).
Use school/work or family photo; include hotline
logo or local crisis phone numbers.

Helpful side-bar for stories

Avoid Misinformation and Offer Hope

Warning Signs of Suicide

Suicide is complex. There are almost always multiple causes,

including psychiatric illnesses, that may not have been
recognized or treated. However, these illnesses are treatable.

Refer to research findings that mental disorders and/or

substance abuse have been found in 90% of people who
have died by suicide.

Avoid reporting that death by suicide was preceded by a

single event, such as a recent job loss, divorce or bad grades.
Reporting like this leaves the public with an overly simplistic
and misleading understanding of suicide.

Consider quoting a suicide prevention expert on causes

and treatments. Avoid putting expert opinions in a
sensationalistic context.

Use your story to inform readers about the causes of

suicide, its warning signs, trends in rates and recent
treatment advances.

Sleeping too little or too much

Add statement(s) about the many treatment options

available, stories of those who overcame a suicidal
crisis and resources for help.

Showing rage or talking about

Include up-to-date local/national resources where

readers/viewers can find treatment, information and
advice that promotes help-seeking.

Talking about wanting to die

Looking for a way to kill oneself
Talking about feeling hopeless or

having no purpose

Talking about feeling trapped or

in unbearable pain

Talking about being a burden

to others

Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs

Acting anxious, agitated or recklessly

Withdrawing or feeling isolated

seeking revenge

Displaying extreme mood swings

The more of these signs a person shows,
the greater the risk. Warning signs are
associated with suicide but may not
be what causes a suicide.

Suggestions for Online Media, Message

Boards, Bloggers & Citizen Journalists

Bloggers, citizen journalists and public commentators can

help reduce risk of contagion with posts or links to treatment
services, warning signs and suicide hotlines.

Include stories of hope and recovery, information on how

to overcome suicidal thinking and increase coping skills.

The potential for online reports, photos/videos and stories

to go viral makes it vital that online coverage of suicide
follow site or industry safety recommendations.

Social networking sites often become memorials to the

deceased and should be monitored for hurtful comments
and for statements that others are considering suicide.
Message board guidelines, policies and procedures could
support removal of inappropriate and/or insensitive posts.

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES AT:

www.ReportingOnSuicide.org or the following local resources:

WHAT TO DO
If someone you know exhibits
warning signs of suicide:
Do not leave the person alone
Remove any firearms, alcohol,

drugs or sharp objects that could

be used in a suicide attempt

Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention

Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255)

Take the person to an emergency

room or seek help from a medical

or mental health professional

The National Suicide

Prevention Lifeline
800-273-TALK (8255)
A free, 24/7 service
that can provide
suicidal persons or
those around them
with support,
information and
local resources.